22 May 2016

With Christian Benteke and Mario Balotelli possibly leaving this summer, there's a vacancy for a new striker at Anfield, and the latest name to enter the fray is ex-Man City forward Edin Dzeko.

Liverpool were last linked with Dzeko in the summer 2015 transfer window, and according to Sky Sports today:

"Liverpool are ready to offer Edin Dzeko a route back to the Premier League. Roma could be tempted to sell if they receive an offer of €15m (£11.6m)".

Dzeko has struggled for consistency this season at Roma, and in March, Roma boss Luciano Spalletti questioned his 'attitude and behaviour':

"I am referring to mental attitude. He [Dzeko] better be begging me he gets a shirt for tomorrow at Udinese".

Some info about Dzeko:

* Roma: 10 goals/7 assists (17) in 39 apps (One every 150 mins)

* Man City: 72 goals/39 assists (111) in 189 apps (One every 99 mins)

* Apr 2016: Spalletti blasted reporters for constantly 'comparing Dzeko to Totti': "That's not fair. Totti is a champion, so is Dzeko, but he's being demotivated and affected by this criticism".

* May 2014: Jose Mourinho hailed Dzeko as the Player of the Season: "On crucial moments, he made the difference. He has 16 goals. Sixteen for the third striker is something spectacular. He's not just a goalscorer. He assists, too".

There are obvious plus-points to signing Dzeko:

* Vast Prem/European experience. Knows what it takes to win the league.

* Experienced international, with a fantastic goals/assists record over his career.

* Goal/assist every 99 mins at City, which is on a par with the best in the league.

* Comparatively cheap, and at the age of 30, he may be likely to sign for a club that's not in the Champions League.

That said, Dzeko is another tall (6'3) striker, and that style of player just hasn't worked out at Anfield. Obviously, Dzeko is much more than a target man, but he's very far from the speedy, mobile, Sturridge-esque striker Liverpool arguably need.